Academic Truth-Telling in Inclusive Higher Education: Faculty and Student Perspectives on Honest Feedback, Academic Standing, and Student Development.

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: Academic Truth-Telling in Inclusive Higher Education: Faculty and Student Perspectives on Honest Feedback, Academic Standing, and Student Development.
Authors: Aceron, Romel M.1 romelaceron@g.batstate-u.edu.ph, Arellano, Agnes D.2 agnes.arellano@g.batstate-u.edu.ph, Zamora, Jerome Jef M.3 Jefzkii@gmail.com, Zamora, Jesse T.4 jeflor0728@gmail.com, Llana, Jesse Nelson P.5 jessenelson.llana@g.batstate-u.edu.ph
Source: International Journal of Special Education. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p813-824. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Student development, *Inclusive education, *College teacher attitudes, *Student attitudes, *Assessment literacy, *Psychological feedback, Phenomenology, Psychological techniques
Abstract: This phenomenological study explored academic truth-telling in inclusive higher education institutions, focusing on faculty and student perspectives on honest feedback, academic standing, and student development. Using a transcendental phenomenological design, the study sought to understand the lived experiences, meanings, challenges, and developmental implications of honest feedback practices in diverse classroom environments. A total of 30 participants, composed of 10–15 faculty members and 15 undergraduate students, were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach involving epoche, horizontalization, clustering of meanings, and synthesis of textural and structural descriptions. Findings revealed that faculty members experience tension between honesty and empathy when delivering feedback, often balancing academic standards with students’ emotional readiness. Students, on the other hand, experience honest feedback as both emotionally challenging and developmentally valuable, depending on clarity, tone, and trust in the instructor. The study further identified that academic truth-telling is understood as an act of care, ethical responsibility, and professional integrity. However, challenges such as large class sizes, communication barriers, and diverse learner needs influence feedback practices. Despite these challenges, honest feedback was found to contribute significantly to students’ academic growth, self-awareness, and motivation when delivered in a supportive and inclusive manner. Thus, the study concludes that academic truth-telling is a relational and transformative process that fosters learning, trust, and student development in higher education. It also contributes to improving inclusive pedagogical practices and feedback literacy among educators and students in higher education institutions, promoting ethical and developmental assessment cultures globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
Database: Education Research Complete
FullText Links:
  – Type: pdflink
Text:
  Availability: 0
Header DbId: ehh
DbLabel: Education Research Complete
An: 195177027
AccessLevel: 6
PubType: Academic Journal
PubTypeId: academicJournal
PreciseRelevancyScore: 0
IllustrationInfo
Items – Name: Title
  Label: Title
  Group: Ti
  Data: Academic Truth-Telling in Inclusive Higher Education: Faculty and Student Perspectives on Honest Feedback, Academic Standing, and Student Development.
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Aceron%2C+Romel+M%2E%22">Aceron, Romel M.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo><i> romelaceron@g.batstate-u.edu.ph</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Arellano%2C+Agnes+D%2E%22">Arellano, Agnes D.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo><i> agnes.arellano@g.batstate-u.edu.ph</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zamora%2C+Jerome+Jef+M%2E%22">Zamora, Jerome Jef M.</searchLink><relatesTo>3</relatesTo><i> Jefzkii@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Zamora%2C+Jesse+T%2E%22">Zamora, Jesse T.</searchLink><relatesTo>4</relatesTo><i> jeflor0728@gmail.com</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Llana%2C+Jesse+Nelson+P%2E%22">Llana, Jesse Nelson P.</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo><i> jessenelson.llana@g.batstate-u.edu.ph</i>
– Name: TitleSource
  Label: Source
  Group: Src
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22International+Journal+of+Special+Education%22">International Journal of Special Education</searchLink>. 2026 Special Issue, Vol. 41, p813-824. 12p.
– Name: Subject
  Label: Subject Terms
  Group: Su
  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+development%22">Student development</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Inclusive+education%22">Inclusive education</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22College+teacher+attitudes%22">College teacher attitudes</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Student+attitudes%22">Student attitudes</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Assessment+literacy%22">Assessment literacy</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+feedback%22">Psychological feedback</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Phenomenology%22">Phenomenology</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Psychological+techniques%22">Psychological techniques</searchLink>
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: This phenomenological study explored academic truth-telling in inclusive higher education institutions, focusing on faculty and student perspectives on honest feedback, academic standing, and student development. Using a transcendental phenomenological design, the study sought to understand the lived experiences, meanings, challenges, and developmental implications of honest feedback practices in diverse classroom environments. A total of 30 participants, composed of 10–15 faculty members and 15 undergraduate students, were selected through purposive sampling. Data were gathered through semi-structured in-depth interviews and analyzed using Moustakas’ phenomenological approach involving epoche, horizontalization, clustering of meanings, and synthesis of textural and structural descriptions. Findings revealed that faculty members experience tension between honesty and empathy when delivering feedback, often balancing academic standards with students’ emotional readiness. Students, on the other hand, experience honest feedback as both emotionally challenging and developmentally valuable, depending on clarity, tone, and trust in the instructor. The study further identified that academic truth-telling is understood as an act of care, ethical responsibility, and professional integrity. However, challenges such as large class sizes, communication barriers, and diverse learner needs influence feedback practices. Despite these challenges, honest feedback was found to contribute significantly to students’ academic growth, self-awareness, and motivation when delivered in a supportive and inclusive manner. Thus, the study concludes that academic truth-telling is a relational and transformative process that fosters learning, trust, and student development in higher education. It also contributes to improving inclusive pedagogical practices and feedback literacy among educators and students in higher education institutions, promoting ethical and developmental assessment cultures globally. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
  Group: Ab
  Data: <i>Copyright of International Journal of Special Education is the property of International Journal of Special Education and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
PLink https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&site=eds-live&db=ehh&AN=195177027
RecordInfo BibRecord:
  BibEntity:
    Languages:
      – Code: eng
        Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 12
        StartPage: 813
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Student development
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Inclusive education
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: College teacher attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Student attitudes
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Assessment literacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological feedback
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Phenomenology
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Psychological techniques
        Type: general
    Titles:
      – TitleFull: Academic Truth-Telling in Inclusive Higher Education: Faculty and Student Perspectives on Honest Feedback, Academic Standing, and Student Development.
        Type: main
  BibRelationships:
    HasContributorRelationships:
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Aceron, Romel M.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Arellano, Agnes D.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zamora, Jerome Jef M.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Zamora, Jesse T.
      – PersonEntity:
          Name:
            NameFull: Llana, Jesse Nelson P.
    IsPartOfRelationships:
      – BibEntity:
          Dates:
            – D: 09
              M: 01
              Text: 2026 Special Issue
              Type: published
              Y: 2026
          Identifiers:
            – Type: issn-print
              Value: 08273383
          Numbering:
            – Type: volume
              Value: 41
          Titles:
            – TitleFull: International Journal of Special Education
              Type: main
ResultId 1